USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > The declaration of faith with the list of members of the Second Baptist Church, Worcester, constituted December 28, 1841 > Part 1
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01723 6420
01
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/declarationoffai00unse 1
4484
THE
DECLARATION OF FAITH
WITH THE
LIST OF MEMBERS
OF THE Pleasant St:
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCHI, 2di
WORCESTER. Mas.
Constituted December 28, 1841.
WORCESTER : PRINTED BY HENRY J. HOWI AND. IS12.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY
.
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Sweet PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
1851584
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
At a meeting of the First Baptist Church in Wor- cester, Nov. 9th, 1841, the subject of forming a sec- ond Baptist Church was introduced. [Several years previous to this, a plan for the same object had been matured, and some steps taken to carry it unto ex- ecution, but owing to the loss of the meeting-house by fire, the project, for the time, was abandoned.]
After a full discussion it was voted unanimously, that " it is expedient to attempt to sustain a second Baptist interest in this town ;" and a committee of seven was appointed to devise the best means for ac- complishing this object. At a subsequent meeting, five of this committee, viz. Daniel Goddard, Wmn. W. Patch, Richard P. Noyes, Jeremiah Bond, and Austin G. Fitch, came forward and pledged them- selves, to be responsible for the support of a second Baptist meeting for one year.
On the 23d of Nov. twenty-five brethren met at the house of Dea. Goddard and formed themselves into a Conference, with Dea. Martin Jacobs as Chair- man and Austin G. Fitch as Clerk, with a view to making all necessary arrangements for the forma- tion of a new Church.
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Sabbath Dec. 12, the conference for the first time held separate public services in the Town Hall.
Dec. 28th, the conference was recognized as a church by a Council, convened from the neighbor- ing churches, for that purpose.
The list of members thus united in the formation of the second church consisted of
89 from the 1st church, Worcester,
6 from the 1st church, Grafton,
2 from the 1st church, Sutton, and
1 from the 3d church, Lowell.
Total-98
An invitation having been presented to Eld. John Jennings of Grafton, to become Pastor of the new church, he signified his acceptance on the Ist of Jan. 1842.
It should here be recorded to the praise of God that the whole course of proceeding, in separating from the First church and in forming the Second, was characterised by a great degree of harmony and brotherly love. And that the Lord approved the measure and bestowed his blessing upon it, is indi- cated by the fact that five months have not yet elapsed since our organization, and nearly one hun- dred members have been added to our number, more than half of whom have been added by baptism, as will be seen by the following list of members.
The public services on the Sabbath were held in the lower Town Hall until May 8th, when for want of room to accommodate the congregation on the
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Sabbath, our meeting was removed to the spacious Hall above.
Thus the church has lengthened her cords, and our hope is that the Lord will strengthen her stakes. Worcester, May 19, IS42.
ARTICLES OF FAITH.
We believe that the HOLY BIBLE was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect rule of faith and practice ; and that among others, it teaches the following all-important truths :
2 Tim. 3: 16 and 17. 2 Pet. 1: 21. 1 Pet. 1 : 10 and 11. 2 Sam. 23: 2. Acts 1 : 6, and Acts 3: 21.
ARTICLE I.
The existence of one only living and true God, infinite in every natural and moral perfection, and that he has made himself known to his people under the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, the same in essence and equal in every divine perfection.
Mark 12 : 29, 32. 1 Tim. 2 : 5. Jas. 2 : 19. Ex. 20: 1,2, 3. Isa. 46: 9. Ps. 95:3. Isa. 9: 6. John 1 : 1, 2,3, 4. John 5: 23. John 10: 30. Math. 28: 19. 2 Cor. 13 : 14. 1 John 5 : 7.
ARTICLE II.
That man was created in a holy and happy state, but by disobedience to the law of his Creator, he not only exposed himself to personal misery, but involv-
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ed his whole posterity in the temporal and eternal consequences of sin ; and as an effect of his aposta- cy, the whole human race possess a depraved and degenerate nature, by which they are wholly disin- clined to every thing morally good, and prone to choose and delight in that which is evil.
Gen. 1: 27. Ecc. 7: 29. Gen. 3 : 6 and 7. Gen. 2: 17. Rom. 5: 12, 19. 1 Cor. 15: 21, 22. Ps. 2: 5. Ezek. 16 : 3 to 6. Isa. ] : 6. Rom. 3 : 10. Tit. 1: 15, 16. Gen. 1: 28. Ps. 15 : 3.
ARTICLE III.
That the only way of salvation from this state of guilt and condemnation, is through the righteous- ness and atonement of JESUS CHRIST ; who as the good shepherd, laid down his life for his sheep; and that those only who receive the gift of repentance and faith in ITim will be finally saved by his atonement.
Isa. 53 : 4 to 12. Dan. 9 : 24, 26. John 10: 9, 10, 11, 15. Acts 4 : 11, 12. Acts 5: 31. Rom. 5 : 6, 8,9, 10, 11, 21. Rom. 6: 23. Rom. 3: 21 to 26. John 3: 18, 36. Luke 13: 3, 5.
ARTICLE IV.
That all who ever have been or ever will be brought to repentance and faith in the Savior, were chosen in Christ to salvation before the foundation of the world ; and that in consequence of the eternal love of God to them through the atonement, the Ho- ly Ghost is sent to effect the work of regeneration in their hearts, without whose regenerating influence, none would ever repent or believe.
Jer. 31 : 3. John 15: 16. John 17 : C. Isa.
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11 : 8,9. Eph. 1 : 4, 5, 11. 1 Pet. 1 : 2. Rom. 9: 11, 12, 23. Rom. 8: 29, 30. Rom. 11 : 5, 7. John 14 : 16, 17, 18, 26. John 15:26. John 16 : 7, 8, 13, 14. John 3: 3. Ps. 51: 10. John 6: 63. Rom. 6: 22. 1 Cor. 2 : 10, 11, 12. 2 Cor. 4 : 6. Col. 1 : 11, 12, 13. Eph. 2: 1 to 10. 2 Tim. 1 : 9. Tit. 3: 5.
ARTICLE V.
That nothing can finally separate true believers from the love of God, but that they will be kept by His mighty power through faith unto eternal salva- tion.
Deut. 23 : 3. Cant. 8: 6, 7. John 6: 37. John 13: 1. John 10: 28, 29, 30. 1 Pet. 1 : 5. Ileb. 6: 17, 18. John 17 : 2, 3.
ARTICLE VI.
That all real believers are justified only by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, without the consideration of any works of righteousness done by them, and that the full and free pardon of their sins and transgressions, is only through the merits of . Christ according to the riches of his grace.
Rom. 3: 28. Rom. 4: 6. Rom. 5: 16, 19. Rom. 3: 25. Eph. 1: 7. Col. 2: 13. 1 John 1 : 7,9.
ARTICLE VII.
That although a full assurance of our interest in Christ, is not always the immediate consequence of saving faith ; yet, as it is an inestimable blessing enjoyed by many in this life, we esteem it to be the indispensible duty of believers to give all dili- gence to make their calling and election sure : that thereby their hearts may be enlarged with gratitude
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to God, and inspired with holy alacrity in all the duties of evangelical obedience.
1 John 2: 3. 1 John 5: 13. Rom. 5 : 2. Rom. 8: 16. Job 19: 25. Heb. 6: 11. 2 Pet. 1 : 10.
ARTICLE VIII.
That the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel : that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial and obedient faith ; and that nothing prevents the salvation of any sin- ner on earth, except his own voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ; which refusal will subject him to an aggravated condemnation.
Rev. 22: 17. Isa. 55: 1. Luke 1 : 17. Rom. 16: 26. Rom. 1 : 15, 17. John 5: 40. Matt. 23 : 37. Rom. 9: 32. Prov. 1: 24. Act. 13: 46. John 3: 19. Mat. 11: 20. Luke 19 : 27. 2 Thess. 1 : 8.
ARTICLE IX.
That the first day of the week is the Lord's day or Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to re- ligious purposes by abstaining from all secular la- bor and recreations ; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public ; as a preparation for that "rest which remaineth for the people of God."
Acts 20 : 7. Gen. 2 : 3. Col. 2 : 16, 17. Mark 2: 27. John 20: 19. 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2. Ex. 20 : 8. Rev. 1: 10. Ps. 118: 24. Isa. 58: 13, 14. Isa. 56: 2, 8. Ps. 118 : 15. Heb. 10 : 24, 25. Acts 11: 26. Acts 13: 44. Lev. 19: 30. Ex. 46: 3. Luke 4 : 16. Acts 17 : 2, 3. Ps. 26 : 8. Ps. 87 : 2.
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ARTICLE X.
That Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinan- ces instituted by Christ, to be continued until his second coming. That none have a scriptural right to baptism until they profess their faith in Christ ; that the ordinance of Baptism can be properly ad- ministered only by immersion ; and is by scripture example a prerequisite to communion at the Lord's table.
Matt. 28 : 19, 20. 1 Cor. 11 : 23, 26. Acts 2:
41, 42 Acts 9: 18, 26. Mark 16: 16. Acts 8 : 12, 36, 37. Acts 16: 31, 34. Acts 13 : 8. Matt. 3 : 6, 16. John 3: 23. Rom. 6: 4. Col. 2 : 12.
ARTICLE XI.
That a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the or- dinances of Christ, governed by his laws, and exer- cising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by his word ; that its only proper officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.
1 Cor. 1: 1, 13. Mat. 18: 17. Acts 5: 11. Acts 8: 4. 1 Cor. 4: 17. 1 Cor. 14: 23. 1 Tim. 3: 5. Acts 2: 41, 42, 47. 2 Cor. S: 5. 1 Cor. 11 : 2, 23. 2 Thess. 3: 6. Rom. 16 : 17, 20. Mat. 18: 15, 20. Mat. 2S: 20. John 14: 15. Eph. 4 : 7. Phil. 1 : 1. Acts 15: 22. 1 Tim. 3. Ti- tus 1. 2 Cor. 2 : 7.
ARTICLE XII.
That the end of the world is approaching ; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven and
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raise the dead from the grave to final retribution ;' that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punish- ment, and the righteous to endless joy ; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell on principles of righteousness.
1 Pet. 1: 7. 1 Cor. 7: 29, 31. Heb. 1 : 10, 12. Mat. 24: 35. 1 John 2: 17. Mat. 28: 20. Mat. 13: 39 and 49. 2 Pet 3: 3, 13. Acts 1 : 11. Rev. 1: 7. Heb. 9: 28. Acts 3: 21. 1 Thess. 4: 13, to IS. Acts 2! : 15. 1 Cor. 15: 12, 59. Luke
14: 14. Dan. 12: 2. John 5: 28, 29. John 6 : 40. John 11 : 25,26. 2 Tim. 1: 10. Acts 10 :
42. Matt. 13: 49. Matt. 25 : 35 to 41. Mark 9 : 43 to 48. John 4: 36. Rom. 3: 5, 6. 2 Thes. 1 :6, 12. Acts 17: 31. Rom. 2: 2, 16. Rev. 20 : 11, 12. 1 John 2 : 8. 1 John 4 : 17. 2 Pet. 3 : 11, 12.
COVENANT.
Now all and each of these doctrines and ordinan- ces we look upon ourselves under the highest obli- gations to embrace, defend and maintain ; believing it to be our duty to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind ; striving together for the faith of the gospel.
And whereas, we are very sensible that our con- versation both in the world and in the church ought to be as becometh the gospel of Christ, we deem it our incumbent duty to walk in wisdom towards them that are without, to exercise a conscience void of of- fence toward God and man, by living soberly, right- eously and godly in this present world.
And as to our regards to each other in our church
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communion, we esteem it our duty to walk with each other in all humility and brotherly-love, to watch over each other's conversation, to stir up one another to love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as we have oppor- tunity, to worship God according to his revealed will ; and when the case requires, to warn, rebuke and admonish one another according to the rules of the gospel.
Moreover, we think it our duty to sympathise with each other in all conditions, both inward and outward, which God in his providence may bring us into ; as also to bear with one another's weaknesses, failings and infirmities, and particularly to pray for one another, and that the gospel and the ordinances thereof might be blessed to the edification and com- fort of each other's souls, and for the conversion and gathering in of others to Christ. All which duties we desire to be found in the performance of, through the gracious assistance of the Holy Spirit; whilst we both admire and adore the grace which has giv- en us a name and a place in God's house better than that of sons and daughters.
Phil. 1: 27. Jude 3. Col. 4: 5. Acts 21: 16. Tit. 2: 12. Rom. 13: 1, 7. Eph. 4: 1, 3. Rom. 12 : 9, 10, 16. Phil. 2; 2, 3. 1 Thes. 5: 14. Rom. 15: 14. Matt. 10: 8. Rom. 15: 1. Col. 3; 13. 2 Thess. 3: 1.
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Duty of Members who Remove.
1. Resolved, that when members remove from this place expecting after a few months to return, it is their duty to take a letter of recommendation for oc- casional communion, to some Baptist church in the neighborhood of their temporary residence.
2. Resolved, that when members remove without the expectation of soon returning, it is their duty to ask a letter of dismission to another church; and that such as do not unite with another church should give information to this church of their residence and spiritual condition on or before the first day of August in every year.
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
ELD. JOHN JENNINGS, Pastor.
DANIEL GODDARD,
JEREMIAH BOND, Deacons. MARTIN JACOBS,
CHARLES II. HILL, Clerk and Treasurer.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
1. Warren S. Abbot, from 1st church, Worcester. Died Jan. 7, 1842.
2. Mrs. Sarah B. Abbot, 66 66
3. Willard E. Allen,
4. Seth J. Axtelle, from 1st church, Grafton.
5. Mrs. Lucy B. Axtelle,
6. Dea. Jeremiah Bond, from 1st church, Worcester. 7. Mrs. Lucy S. Bond, 66 66
8. Hollis Ball, 66
9. Mrs. Camelia II. Ball, 66
10. Miss Lucy Ann Ball, 66
11. Miss Eugenia D. C. Ball, 66 66
12. Charles Ballard, 66
13. Edwin Crosby, 66
14. Thomas Crosby,
15. Ebenezer Cox,
11
16. Mrs. Mary Cox, from Ist church, Worcester.
17. Miss Salome A. Cox, since withdrawn from the church.
18. Miss Louisa Jane Cox,
19. Levi Cocs, 66
66
20. Mrs. Keziah W. Coes,
21. Mrs. Jemima Coes,
22. Miss Rebecca S. Coes, 66 66
23. William Campbell, from 3d chh. Lowell.
24. Thomas E. Daniels, from Ist chh. Worcester. 25. Mrs. Lucy S. Daniels, 66
26. Benjamin Drury,
27. Mrs. Anna Drury,
66
28. Austin G. Fitch, 66
29. Samuel Fisk,
30. Eli Fairbanks,
66 66
31. Mrs. Abigail Fairbanks, .
32. Dea. Daniel Goddard, 16
33. Mrs. Sarah W. Goddard, 66 66
34. Eld. Luther Goddard, 66
66
Died May 25, 1812.
35. Miss Caroline E. Goddard,
36. Miss Sarah M. Goddard, 66
37. Daniel R. Goodell,
66
38. Mrs. Martha C. Goodell, 66
39. Miss Urana Gates, 66
40. Miss Violetta Gates,
66
41. Miss Mary Gates,
42. Miss Eleanor Gates, 66
43. Nathaniel P. Gates, 66
44. Mrs. Elizabeth Gates,
66
66
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45. Peter Goulding, from Ist church, Worcester.
46. Mrs. Prudence Goulding,
47. Miss Fidelia Goulding, 66
4S. Jonas Hartshorn,
49. Mrs. Laura Ann Hartshorn, 66
50. Lyman Howe,
51. Charles M. Holbrook, 66
52. Mrs. Ann Eliza A. Holbrook,
53. Charles HI. Hill, 66
66
54. Mrs. Eunice E. IIill,
66
55. Miss Lydia W. Johnson, 66
56. Dea. Martin Jacobs, from 1st chh. Grafton.
57. Mrs. Betsey Jacobs, 66
53. Miss Sarah Jacobs, 66
59. Leonard Kimball, from 1st chh. Worcester.
60. Mrs. Harriet Kimball, 66
61. Horace Lamb,
62. Asa Lewis,
66
63. Orville Lothrop, 66
64. Mrs. Lucy Lothrop, 66
65. Jonathan Lyon, jr.
66. Mrs. Everline Lyon, 66 66
67. Isaac Lamb,
68. Mrs. Betsey Lamb, 66
69. Richard P. Noyes,
66
70. Mrs. Elizabeth Noyes,
71. Samuel Noyes, 66 66
72. Miss Elizabeth Noyes,
73. Samuel D. Newton, from West Sutton .
74. Mrs. Almira K. Newton,
66
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75. William W. Patch, from Ist church, Worcester,
76. Mrs. Sarah Patch,
77. Miss Sarah Patch, 66
78. Miss Caroline L. Patch, 66
79. Miss Keziah Pierce, 66
SO. Miss Mary G. Parmenter, 66 66
S1. Josiah G. Perry, 66
82. Mrs. Martha Perry.
83. Miss Susan Putnam, 66
84. Russel R. Shepard,
66
85. Mrs. Sarah II. Shepard, Died May 12, 1812.
86. Mrs. Nancy H. Slater, 66 16
87. Cyrus W. Stratton, from Ist church, Grafton.
83. William Tucker, from Ist church, Worcester. 89. Alexander Thayer, 66
90. Mrs. Lucinda Thayer,
91. Alden Thayer,
92. Mrs. Dolly Ann Thayer, 66
93. Enos Thomas, 66 66
94. Mrs. Rachel Thomas, 66
95. Joseph Willard, 66
96. Mrs. Louisa Wood,
66
07. Miss Phebe Young, 66
98. Miss Betsey Young,
66
66
The above 9S persons constituted the church at its organization-the following additions have been made since.
In the following list, the letter L. signifies added by Letter, and B. by Baptism.
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JANUARY, 1842.
99. Miss Eliza Draper, L. from Leicester.
100. Nathaniel Gihnore,
1 .. Ist chh. Worcester. 66 66
101. Mrs. Esther Gilmore,
102. Mrs. Martha L. Slater, 1 .. 16
103. Miss Nancy Forbes,
66
66
101. Miss Harriet Phelps, now Mrs. Gray.
105. Mrs. Lucretia Henry, L.
FEBRUARY, 1842.
106. Allen Billings, L. N. Ipswich, N. II.
107. Mrs. Emily R. Fisher, 1 .. Littleton.
108. Solomon Trask,
L. Ist chh. Grafton.
109. Clark Johnson, B.
110. Latimer S. Barrows, B.
111. John R. Willard, B.
112. Mrs. Susannah Howe, B.
113. Miss Lucy Willard, B.
114. Miss Mary E. Patch, B. MARCH, 1842.
115. Eld. John Jennings, L. Grafton.
116. Mrs. Susan C. Jennings, L.
117. Miss Lucy Goulding, L. Boston.
118. Miss Lydia Willard, B.
119. Miss Frances Gates, B.
120. Miss Urana Gates, B.
121. Levi Gates, B.
122. Levi Gates, jr. B.
123. George Burford, B.
124. Ora Munroe, B.
125. Mrs. Mary C. Fitch, B.
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Aprat, 1812.
126. Jonathan Gray, L. 1st chh. Wor.
127. Mrs. Esther Gray,
66 66
128. Benjamin S. Childs, I ..
129. Mrs. Avis Childs, L. 66
130. Christopher Gray, L. 66
131. Mrs. Martha Livermore, L.
66
132. Mrs. Sarah Bartlett,
L. from Northboro'.
133. Mrs. Prudence Burford,
L. Ist chh. Grafton.
134. Ephraim Gates, B.
135. Henry Noyes, B.
136. Luther Goddard, B.
137. Isaac O. Munroe, B.
138. James B. Giles, B.
139. Mrs. Almira B. Giles, B.
140. Merrick H. Houghton, B.
141. Mrs. Elizabeth W. Houghton, B.
142. Miss Caroline P. Raymond, B.
143. Miss Ann Elizabeth Jacobs, B.
144. Miss Delia Augusta Jacobs, B.
145. Miss Marthy Drury, B.
146. Miss Rebecca Coes, B.
147. Mrs. Laura Willard,
148. Miss Emma Swana, B.
149. Miss Lucy Goddard, B.
150. Miss Elizabeth Rice, B.
151. Miss Elizabeth Thayer, B.
152. Miss Elizabeth Gray, B.
153. Mrs. Phebe Johnson, B.
154. Charles Flanders, B.
155. Hiram De Wit, B.
..
from Methodist Church.
19
156. William Allen, B.
157. George Thompson, B.
158. Amos Wakefield, B.
159. Francis P. Peabody, B.
100. Elisha W. Thatcher, B.
161. Albert Holbrook, B.
162. Joel W. Marble, L. from Millbury.
163. Lemuel II. Waters, L. Sterling.
164. Brigham Goss, L. 1st Wor.
165. Cyrus Stockwell, 1 .. Athol
166. Mrs. Ruth Stockwell L.
66
MAY, 1842.
167. Obadiah Hadwin, B.
168. Miss Mary L. Clark, B.
169. Miss Asenath Hardy, B.
170. Miss Sarah Ann Osgood, B.
171. Mrs. Mary Ann Allen, B.
172. Miss Elizabeth A. Slater, B.
173. Miss Nancy C. Slater, B.
174. Miss Mary J. Macullar, B.
175. Benjamin Hutchinson, B.
176. William Eaton, jr. B.
177. Mrs. Hannah Eaton, B.
178. Miss Ruth Bates,
L. Westboro',
179. Philander Tolman,
L. Sterling.
L. Royalston,
180. Mrs. Laura K. Tolman, JUNE, 1842.
1S1. Gardner Johnson, 2d. B.
182. Charles Blanchard, B.
183. James R. Noyes, B.
IS4. Thomas M. Lamb, B. +
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY
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185. William M. Lamb, B.
186. Nathaniel C. Paine, B.
187. Miss Louisa Gleason, B.
ISS. Miss Lucia M. Draper, B.
189. Mrs. Mary Ann Marble, B.
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411
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THE
Declaration of Faith,
-OF THE-
PLEASANT STREET BAPTIST CHURCH,
WORC
ES THER. NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICA .. )
Constituted December 28, 1841.
WORCESTER : PRINTED BY EDWARD R. FISKE. 1856.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The First Baptist Church in Worcester was founded in the year 1812. Prosperity attended the effort, and the subject of the formation of a second Church was carly agitated. The loss of the meeting- house of the First Church by fire, for a time delayed the undertaking.
On the 9th of November, 1841, after much pri- vate discussion, the matter was brought before the Church, was fully debated, and it was unanimously resolved " That it is expedient to attempt to sustain a second Baptist interest in this town." A committee of seven was appointed to devise the best means for accomplishing the object.
At a subsequent meeting, five of this committee, viz : Daniel Goddard, Wmn. W. Patch, Richard P. Noyes, Jeremiah Bond, and Austin G. Fitch, came forward and pledged themselves, to be responsible for the support of a second Baptist meeting for one year.
On the 23d of November, twenty-five brethren met at the house of Dea. Goddard, and formed thein- selves into a Conference, with Dea. Martin Jacobs as Chairman, and Austin G. Fitch as Clerk, with a view
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to making all necessary arrangements for the forma tion of a new Church.
Sabbath Dec. 12, the Conference for tir first tin ... held separate public services in the Town Hall.
Dec. 28th, the Conference was recognized as a Church by a Council, convened from the neighboring Churches, for that purpose.
The list of members thus united in the formation of the second Church, consisted of
89 from the Ist Church, Worcester, 6 from the Ist Church, Grafton,
2 from the Ist Church, Sutton, and
1 from the 3d Church, Lowell.
Total-98
It should here be recorded to the praise of God, that the whole proceeding in the formation of a sec- ond Church was characterised by a great degree of harmony and brotherly love. The separation from the First Church was not in anger or dissatisfaction, but because another Church was demanded by the rapid growth of the place, and by the prosperity which had made the accommodations in one house of worship too strait for the number of worshipers.
An invitation having been presented to Rev. John Jennings to become pastor of the new Church, he sig- nified his acceptance on the Ist of Jan. 1842.
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That the Lord approved the new undertaking and blessed the united efforts of Church and Pastor, is manifest from the fact, that within five months of the organization, nearly one hundred members were added, more than half of whom were received by Baptism.
The Church took immediate steps towards the erection of a Sanctuary, and on the 4th of Jan. 1844, they were permitted to enter the substantial and com- modious edifice, which at much swrifice, they had creeted on Pleasant Street, and to consperate it to the service of God.
On the 27th of Nov. 1349, Rev. John Jennings resigned his charge as pastor. On the 14th of April following, Rev. Charles K. Colver of Watertown, ac- cepted our call, and came among us as our. pastor and teacher. Failing health obliged him to resign his place after a pastorate of four years. His faithful words, and his warm sympathy with many of our families in sorrows and bereavements, are not for- gotten.
An invitation extended to Rev. Daniel W. Faunce to become pastor of the Church was accepted by him, and he entered on his duties with us, Sept, Ist, 1851. During the year 1856, our house of worship, was re- paired and remodeled at a large expense. The change of grade in the street obliged us to take down and rebuild the front ; the style of architecture was altered, and a tower was added.
1851584
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Thus far hath the Lord blest us. A good con- gregation, a flourishing Sabbath School, a church in- creasing in numbers, and we would hope, in christian efficiency are the fruits of God's favor. In view of our past history, we offer the prayer : " Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children, and let the beauty of the Lord our God, be upon us, and establish there the work of our hands, upon us ; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."
Worcester, November, 1856.
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RULES CONCERNING ABSENT MEMBERS.
1. Resolved, That when members remove from this place expecting after a few months to return, it is their duty to take a letter of recommendation for occasional communion, to some Baptist Church in the neighborhood of their temporary residence.
2. Resolved, That when members remove with- out the expectation of soon returning, it is their duty to ask a letter of dismission to another Church ; and that such as do not unite with another Church, should give information to this Church of their residence and spiritual condition on or before the first day of August, in every year.
3. Resolved, That six months absence from public services or communion of a resident member, is a matter for inquiry, and, without satisfactory rea- son therefor, such a member is a subject of discipline.
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HISTORICAL CATALOGUE
OF THE
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
PASTORS. JOHN JENNINGS, CHARLES K. COLVER, DANIEL W. FAUNCE.
DEACONS. DANIEL GODDARD, JEREMIAH BOND, MARTIN JACOBS, JONAS HARTSHORN.
CLERKS. CHARLES H. HILL, JOEL HOWE.
TREASURERS. CHARLES H. HILL, CHARLES BALLARD, F. HI. PUTNAM.
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OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH, 1856.
.4
PASTOR.
DANIEL W. FAUNCE.
DEACONS.
DANIEL GODDARD, MARTIN JACOBS, JONAS HARTSHORN.
CLERK.
JOEL HOWE.
TREASURER.
F. H. PUTNAM.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
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ARTICLES OF FAITHI.
We believe that the HOLY BIBLE was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect rule of faith and practice ; and that among others, it teaches the following all-important truths :
2 Th .. 3: 16 and 17. John 5: 39. 2 Pet. 1: 21. 2 Tim. 3: 15. Acts 1: 16. Isa. 8: 20. 2 Sam. 23: 2. Prov. 30: 5, 6. John 10: 35. Luke 16: 29. Ileb. 1: 1, 2.
ARTICLE I.
The existence of one only living and true Gon, infinite in every natural and moral perfection, and that he has made himself known to his people under the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, the same in essence and equal in every divine perfection.
Mark 12: 29, 32. 1 Tim. 2: 5. Isa. 2: 19. Isa. 9: 6. John 1. 1, 2, 3, 4. John 5: 23. John 10: 30. Phil. 2: 5, 6. Heb. 1: 8. Acts 5: 3, 4. Matt. 28: 19.
ARTICLE 11.
That man was created in a holy and happy state, but by disobedience to the law of his Creator, he not only exposed himself to personal misery, but involved his whole posterity in the temporal and eternal conse- quences of sin ; and as an effect of his apostaey, the whole human race possess a depraved and degenerate nature, by which they are wholly disinclined to every thing morally good, and prone to choose and delight in that which is evil.
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Gen. 1: 27. Ecc. 7: 29. Gen. 3: 6. 24. Gen. 2: 17. Rom. 5: 12, 19. 1 Cor. 15: 21, 22. Ist. 1: 6. Rom. 3; 9, 19. Rom. 5: 12, 15, 19. Gal. 3: 10, 22. Ps. 51. 5. Eph. 2: 3.
ARTICLE HI.
That the only way of salvation from this state of guilt and condemnation, is through the righteousness and atonement of JESUS CHRIST, who as the good shep- herd laid down his life for his sheep ; and that those only who receive the gift of repentance and faith in Ilim, will be finally saved by his atonement.
Isa. 53: 4 to 12. 1 Cor. 15: 3. 1 Pot. 2: 24. John 10: 9, 10, 11, 15. Acts 4: 11, 12. Acts 5: 31. Rom. 5: 6, 7, 8. Rom. 6: 23. Rom. 3: 21, 26. Hleb. 9: 14. Eph. 1: 7. John 3; 16, 36. Luke 13 : 3, 5. Heb. 2: 9. Mark 16; 16.
ARTICLE IV.
That all who ever have been or ever will be brought to repentance and faith in the Saviour, were chosen in Christ to salvation before the foundation of the world ; and that in consequence of the eternal love of God to them through the atonement, the Holy Gliost is sent to effect the work of regeneration in their hearts, without whose regenerating influence, none would ever repent or believe.
2 Thes. 2: 13, 14. 2 Tim. 1: 8, 9. Eph. 1: 3, 11. 1 Pet, 1: 2. Rom. 8: 28, 31. Rom. 9: 11, 12. Rom 11: 5, 6. Ex. 33: 18, 19. Acts 2: 23. Acts 13: 48. John 17: 6. John 14: 16, 17, 18, 26. John 15: 26. John 16: 7, 8, 13, 14. Ps. 51: 10. Ep. 2: 10. Titus 3: 5. 1 Cor. 4: 7. John 4: 44.
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That nothing can finally s parate true believers from the love of God, bat that they will be kept by His mighty power through faith unto eternal silva- tion.
John 10: 28, 29, 30. Phil. 1: 6, Rom. 8: 35, 39. 1 John 2: 19, 26, 28. II-4. 6: 9, 17, 18. John 13: 1. 1 Pet. 1: 5. Jude 24, 25.
ARTICLE VI.
That all real believers are justified only by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, withoat the consideration of any works of righteousness done by them, and that the fall and fres pardon of their sins and transgressions, is only through the merits of Christ according to the riches of his grace.
Rom. 3: 28. Rom. 4: 6. Rom. 5: 9, 16, 19. Rom. 3: 25. Eph. 1: 7. Col. 2: 13. 1 John 1: 7, 9. Rom. 4: 24. Eph. 2: 7, 8.
ARTICLE VIL.
That although a fall assurance of our interest in Christ, is not always the immediate consequence of saving faith ; yet, as it is an inestimable blessing en- joyed by many in this life, we esteem it to be the in- dispensable duty of believers to give all diligence to make their calling and election sure ; that thereby, their hearts may be enlarged with gratitude to Gol, and inspired with holy alacrity in all the duties of evangelical obedience.
2 Cor. 5: 1. 1 John 5: 13. Rom. 5: 2, Rom. 8: 16. 2 Pet. 1: 10.
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ARTICLE VIII.
That the blevings of salvation are made from all by the gospel ; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial and obedient Mith ; and that nothing prevents the salvation of any simer on earth, except his own voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ ; which refusal will subject him to an aggravated condemnation.
Isa. 55: 1. Rev. 22: 17. Acts 2: 37, 38, Acts 13:46. Arts 11: IS. Acts 17: 00. John G; 37. Mat. 11: 20. 2 Thes. 1: S. Jolm 3: 10. John 5: 40. Mark 1: 15. Rom. 1: 15, 16, Matt. 23: 37.
ARTICLE IX.
That the first day of the week is the Lord's day, or Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to reli- gious purposes by abstaining from all secular labor and recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; asa prepar- ation for that "rest which remaineth for the people of God."
Acts 20: 7. Rev. 1: 10. Ex. 20: 8. John 20: 19. Mark 2: 27. Isa. 58: 13, 14. 1 Cor. 16: 2. John 20; 26. Acts 20: 7
ARTICLE X.
That Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordi- nances instituted by Christ, to be continued until his second coming. That none have a scriptural right to Baptism until they profess their faith in Christ ; that the ordinance of Baptism can be properly administer-
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ed only by immersion ; and is by scripture example a pre-requisite to communion at the Lord's table.
Matt. 28 19, 20. Acts 8: 36, 37, 38. Rom, 6: 4. Col. 2: 12. Eph. 4: 5. Matt. 3: 5, 6, 16. John 3: 22, 23. Mark 16; 16. Nets 2: 38, 41, 42. 1 Cor. 11, 26, 28.
ARTICLE XI.
That a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptised believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel ; observing the or- dinances of Christ, governed by his laws, and exer- cising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by his word ; that its only proper officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the epistle to Timothy and Titus.
1 Cor. 1: 1, 13. Mat, 18: 17. Acts 5: 11. 1 Cor. 4: 17. 1 Cor. 14: 23. 1 Tim. 3: 5. Acts 2: 41, 42, 47. 2 Cor, 8: 5. 1 Cor. 11: 2, 23. 2 Thess. 3: 6. Rom. 16: 17, 20. Mat. 18: 15, 20. JA at. 28: 20. Phil, 1: 1. Acts 15: 22. 1 Tim. 3. 1.tus 1.
ARTICLE XII.
That the end of the world is approaching ; that at the last day, Christ will descend from Heaven and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy ; and that this judg- ment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell on principles of righteousness.
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1 Pet. 4: 7. 1 Cor. 7: 29, 31. Heb. 1 : 10: 12. Mat. 24: 35. 1 John 2: 17. Mat. 28: 20. Mat. 13: 39, 49. 2 Pet. 3: 3, 13. Acts 1: 11: Rev. 1: 7. Heb. 9: 28. Acts 3: 21. 1 Thess. 4. 13, to 18. Acts 24: 15. 1 Cor. 15: 12, 59. Luke 14: 14. Dan. 12: 2. John 5: 28, 29. John 6: 40. John 11: 25, 26. 2 Tim. 1: 10. Acts 10: 42. Mat. 13: 49. Matt. 25: 35 to 41. Mark 9: 43 to 48. John 4: 36. Rom. 3: 5, 6. 2 Thes. 1: 6, 12. Acts 17: 31. Rom. 2: 2, 16. Rev. 20: 11, 12. 1 John 2: 8. 1 John 4: 17. 2 Pet. 3: 11, 12.
COVENANT.
Now all and each of these doctrines and ordinan- ces we look upon ourselves under the highest obliga- tions to embrace, defend and maintain ; believing it to be our duty to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind; striving together for the faith of the gospel.
And whereas, we are very sensible that our con- versation both in the world and in the church ought to be as becometh the gospel of Christ, we deem it our incumbent duty to walk in wisdom towards them that are without, to exercise a conscience void of of- fence toward God and man, by living soberly, right- eously and godly in this present world.
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Ilas to ver regards to each other in on durch comein, Borsten it our duty to walk with each other in all nudity, and brotherly-love, i Wichtig reg Mother'se interaction, to stir up on with Solove and good works, not forsaking the ass. timing of ours har together, as we have oppor- tunity, to worship Good ace aling to his revealed will; and wien the case requires, to warn, rebuke and ad- manish one another, according to the rules of the
Moreover, we think it our duty to sympathize with each other in all conditions, both inward and outward, which God in his providence may bring us into ; as also to bear with one another's weaknesses, failings and infirmities, and particularly to pray for one another, and that the gospel and the ordinances thereof, might be blessed to the edification' and com- fort of each other's souls, and for the conversion and gathering in of others to Christ. All which duties we desire to be found in the performance of through the gracious assistance of the Holy Spirit ; whilst we both admire and adore the grace which has given us a name and a place in God's house better than that of sons and daughters.
Phil. 1: 27. Jude 3. Col. 4: 5. Acts 24: 16. Tit. 2: 12. Rom. 13: 1, 7. Eph. 4: 1, 3. Rom. 12: 9, 10, 16. Phil. 2: 2, 3. 1 Thes. 5: 14. Rom. 15: 14. Matt. 10: 8. Rom. 15: 1. Col. 3 : 13. 2 Thess. 3; 1.
DE84498962
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MAY 75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
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